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United States Patent |
5,610,725
|
Kawada
,   et al.
|
March 11, 1997
|
Communication system for managing data of resources of image forming unit
Abstract
A communication system includes: an image forming unit connected to a
communication line through a communication control unit; and a management
unit for managing data of resources of the image forming unit, the
management unit being connected to the communication line, the image
forming unit including: at least one component part; a first storage part
for storing a control program for the component part, so that the
component part is controlled in accordance with the control program; and a
first control part for transmitting a first code to the management unit
via the communication line in response to an update request signal, the
first code indicating a model of the image forming unit and indicating a
type of the component part, the management unit including: a second
storage part for storing a plurality of control programs for different
types of the component part of the image forming unit; and a second
control part for reading out a first control program from the second
storage part in accordance with the first code received from the first
control part, and for transmitting the first control program to the image
forming unit via the communication line, so that the first control program
is stored in the first storage part.
Inventors:
|
Kawada; Yasuo (Kawasaki, JP);
Sakai; Hidenori (Hiratsuka, JP);
Obu; Makoto (Yokohama, JP);
Echigo; Katsuhiro (Asaka, JP);
Kawashima; Yasuhiro (Tokyo, JP);
Yano; Hidetoshi (Yokohama, JP);
Kishi; Fumio (Yokohama, JP)
|
Assignee:
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Ricoh Company, Ltd. (Tokyo, JP)
|
Appl. No.:
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541967 |
Filed:
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October 10, 1995 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
358/403; 358/406 |
Intern'l Class: |
H04N 001/00 |
Field of Search: |
358/400,403,404,406,442,444,468,501,504
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
5212776 | May., 1993 | Zandveld et al.
| |
5223896 | Jun., 1993 | Shimizu et al.
| |
5243382 | Sep., 1993 | Takano et al. | 355/203.
|
5485246 | Jan., 1996 | Hayashi et al. | 355/204.
|
5504590 | Apr., 1996 | Kawada et al. | 358/406.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
2-265396 | Oct., 1990 | JP.
| |
3-226768 | Oct., 1991 | JP.
| |
4-70768 | Mar., 1992 | JP.
| |
4-318866 | Nov., 1992 | JP.
| |
Primary Examiner: Vu; Kim
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.
Parent Case Text
This is a Rule 60 continuation of allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/379,018, filed Jan. 27, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,590, which was a
file wrapper continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/264,160, filed
Jun. 22, 1994 (now abandoned).
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A communication system, comprising:
a) an image forming unit connected to a communication line through a
communication control unit, the image forming unit including:
1) at least one component part;
2) first storage means for storing a control program for controlling the at
least one component part; and
3) first control means for transmitting a first code to a management unit
via the communication line in response to an update request signal, the
first code indicating at least one of a model of the image forming unit
and a type of the at least one component part; and
b) the management unit, for managing data of resources of the image forming
unit, the management unit being connected to the communication line and
including:
1) second storage means for storing a control program of the at least one
component part of the image forming unit; and
2) second control means for reading out the control program from the second
storage means in accordance with the first code received from the first
control means, and for transmitting the control program to the image
forming unit via the communication line, so that the control program is
stored in the first storage means.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the management unit's second storage means stores a plurality of optimum
display messages for component parts of different models of the image
forming unit; and
the second control means of the management unit constitutes means for
reading out one of the optimum display messages for the second storage
means in accordance with the first code, and for transmitting the read
optimum display message to the image forming unit via the communication
line before the first control program is read out from the second storage
means.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the second storage means stores a control program list including a
plurality of control program options for the at least one component part
of the image forming unit; and
the second control means constitutes means for reading out the control
program list from the second storage means in accordance with the first
code, and for transmitting the control program list to the image forming
unit via the communication line before the first control program is read
out from the second storage means.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the at least one component part of the image forming unit is an operational
panel; and
the operational panel is controlled in accordance with a control program
stored in the first storage means of the image forming unit.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the management unit further includes:
means for transmitting an alarm message to the image forming unit via the
communication line when the first control program is not found in the
second storage means by the second control means.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the management unit further includes:
means for transmitting a combined message to the image forming unit via the
communication line when the first control program is not found in the
second storage means by the second control means, the combined message
including an alarm message and an allowed component part message.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the management unit further includes:
means for transmitting maintenance data of the at least one component part
to the image forming unit via the communication line after the first
control program is transmitted to the image forming unit by the second
control means.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the management unit further includes:
means for transmitting a program charge message to the image forming unit
via the communication line after the first control program is read out
from the second storage means by the second control means, so that the
program charge message is displayed on the image forming unit.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein:
the program charge message indicates that a predetermined amount of a
program charge is necessary for updating a control program for the at
least one component part.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein:
when an operator of the image forming unit inputs, before the control
program is read out from the second storage means, a response indicating
that a current component part that is not indicated by an optimum display
message is to be used, the response is transmitted to the management unit.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the second control means reads out a control program for an operational
panel from the second storage means in accordance with a display size.
12. A communication system comprising:
a) an image forming unit connected to acommunication line through a
communication control unit, the image forming unit including:
1) at least one component part;
2) a first memory device for storing a control program for controlling the
at least one component part; and
3) a central processing unit for transmitting a first code to a management
unit via the communication line in response to an update request signal,
the first code indicating at least one of a model of the image forming
unit and a type of the at least one component part; and
b) the management unit, for managing data of resources of the image forming
unit, the management unit being connected to the communication line and
including:
1) a second memory device for storing a control program of the at least one
component part of the image forming unit; and
2) a host computer for reading out the control program from the second
memory device in accordance with the first code received from the central
processing unit, and for transmitting the control program to the image
forming unit via the communication line, so that the control program is
stored in the first memory device.
13. A method for managing data resources in a communication system, the
method comprising:
providing an image forming unit connected to a communication line through a
communication control unit, the image forming unit having at least one
component part and first storage means for storing a current control
program for the at least one component part;
providing a management unit for managing data of resources of the image
forming unit, the management unit being connected to the communication
line and having second storage means for storing an updated control
program of the at least one component part of the image forming unit;
transmitting a first code to the management unit via the communication line
in response to an update request signal, the first code indicating at
least one of a model of the image forming unit and a type of the at least
one component part;
reading out the updated control program from the second storage means in
accordance with the received first code;
transmitting the updated control program to the image forming unit;
storing the updated control program in the first storage means; and
controlling the at least one component part in accordance with the updated
control program.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a communication system, and more
particularly to a communication system for managing data of resources of
an image forming unit, such as a copier, a printer, or a facsimile
machine, in the communication system.
An image forming device is made up of various component parts including
electronic parts, metal parts and plastic parts. When one of the component
parts of the image forming device malfunctions or when an operating life
of one of the component parts of the image forming device is reached, only
that component part can be changed with a new component part, and it is
not necessary to change the image forming device with a new image forming
device. Thus, resources of the image forming device can be efficiently
used.
In conventional image forming devices, it is difficult to efficiently
re-use a component part, detached from one image forming device, in
another image forming device. Generally, in order to control an operation
of the component part in a source image forming device, it is necessary
that the source image forming device has a control program suitable for
controlling the operation of the component part. Thus, in order to
efficiently re-use the component part, detached from the source device, in
the new device, it is necessary that the new device has a control program
suitable for controlling the operation of the component part. If the
control program of the new device does not suit the component part, the
operation of the component part cannot be efficiently controlled on the
new device.
It is desirable to allow the component part, detached from the source image
forming device, to be efficiently re-used for another image forming
device, in order to promote environmental protection and resource saving.
Since new image forming devices are increasingly put into practical use at
the times of model changes, it is desirable to allow a component part,
detached from an image forming device of a previous model, to be
efficiently used for a different image forming device of the new model.
However, it is likely that a control program of the new model does not
suit the component part of the previous model. Thus, there is a problem
with the conventional image forming devices in that it is impossible to
efficiently re-use the component parts, detached from the previous model,
for the new model.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a
novel and useful communication system in which the above described problem
is eliminated.
Another, more specific object of the present invention is to provide a
communication system including an image forming unit and a management
unit, connected to the image forming unit via a communication line for
managing data of resources of the image forming unit, which system enables
a control program for a component part, detached from a different image
forming unit, to be updated with a new control program supplied from the
management unit, thereby allowing the component part to be efficiently
re-used for the image forming unit.
The above mentioned objects of the present invention are achieved by a
communication system which includes: an image forming unit connected to a
communication line through a communication control unit; and a management
unit for managing data of resources of the image forming unit, the
management unit being connected to the communication line, the image
forming unit including: at least one component part; a first storage part
for storing a control program for the component part, so that the
component part is controlled in accordance with the control program; and a
first control part for transmitting a first code to the management unit
via the communication line in response to an update request signal, the
first code indicating a model of the image forming unit and indicating a
type of the component part, the management unit including: a second
storage part for storing a plurality of control programs for different
types of the component part of the image forming unit; and a second
control part for reading out a first control program from the second
storage part in accordance with the first code received from the first
control part, and for transmitting the first control program to the image
forming unit via the communication line, so that the first control program
is stored in the first storage part.
According to the present invention, it is possible to update a control
program for a component part, detached from a different image forming
unit, with a new control program supplied from the management unit. As the
component part can be controlled in accordance with the new control
program on the image forming unit, the component part can be efficiently
re-used for the image forming unit, in order to promote environmental
protection and resource saving.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description
when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system to which the
present invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a copier which is connected to the
communication system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operational panel of the copier in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a display panel of the operational panel in
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing another operational panel which can be
attached to the copier in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing still another operational panel which can be
attached to the copier in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control part of the copier in FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control part of the operational panel
in FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operational panel code used for the
operational panel in FIG. 3;
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a communication control unit which is
connected to the communication system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a management unit which is part of the
communication system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining a control program update mode
performed by the copier in FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining a control program update procedure
performed by the management unit in FIG. 1;
FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining an operational panel code
discriminating process of the control program update procedure in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an optimum display message which
indicates the size of an optimum display screen for an operational panel;
FIG. 16 is a flow chart for explaining an optimum display message procedure
performed by the management unit in the second embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an alarm message which indicates that the
management unit has no control program to be updated;
FIG. 18 is a flow chart for explaining an alarm message transmitting
procedure performed by the management unit in the third embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a combined message which is transmitted by the
management unit in the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 20 is a flow chart for explaining a combined message transmitting
procedure performed by the management unit in the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 21 is a flow chart for explaining a maintenance data transmitting
procedure performed by the management unit in the fifth embodiment;
FIGS. 22A through 22C are diagrams showing images which are displayed on
the operational panel of the copier when a control program update
procedure is performed by the management unit in the sixth embodiment;
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a program charge message which
is transmitted by the management unit in the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 24 is a flow chart for explaining a control program update procedure
performed by the management unit in the seventh embodiment; and
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a control program list which is
transmitted by the management unit in the eighth embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A description will now be given of a communication system to which the
present invention is applied.
FIG. 1 shows a communication system to which the present invention is
applied. In FIG. 1, one or a plurality of copiers 300 are installed on
user locations. The copiers 300 are, for example, plain paper copiers
(PPC). One or a plurality of copiers 300 are connected to a communication
control unit (CCU) 3200. A plurality of CCUs 3200 are connected to the
communication system, each CCU 3200 being connected to an exchanger 3301
and to a telephone unit 3206. The copier 300 have individual identifier
codes and individual equipment lists.
A management unit 3400 is installed on a center location which is remote
from the user locations. The management unit is connected to an exchanger
3301. The CCUs 3200 on the user locations are connected to the management
unit 3400 on the center location through a telephone line 3302.
In an upload mode of the communication system in FIG. 1, data from one of
the copiers 300 is sent to the management unit 3400 via the telephone line
3302. Before the data is transmitted to the management unit 3400, an
identifier code and an equipment list of the copier 300 are transferred
from the copier 300 to the CCU 3200. After the CCU 3200 is connected to
the management unit 3400 via the telephone line 3302, the CCU 3200
transmits the identifier and the equipment list to the management unit
3400.
In a download mode of the communication system in FIG. 1, management data
from the management unit 3400 is sent to one of the copiers 300 via the
telephone line 3302. After the management unit 3400 is connected to the
CCU 3200 via the telephone line 3302, the management unit 3400 transmits
an identifier code, a control code and control data to the CCU 3200 prior
to transmission of the management data. If the control code received
accords with the control code of the CCU 3200, the CCU 3200 performs a
procedure based on the identifier code, the control code and the control
data received from the management unit 3400. The CCU 3200 transfers the
control code and the control data to a copier 300 having the same
identifier code as the received identifier code. After the copier has
received the control code and the control data, the copier 300 performs a
procedure based on the control code and the control data.
FIG. 2 shows a copier of the communication system in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the
copier 300 is an electrophotographic digital copier of a plain paper type.
A scanner 301 optically reads an image from a document, and a charged
coupled device (CCD) 302 photoelectrically converts the image, read by the
scanner 301, into an image signal. The image signal supplied from the CCD
302 is processed by an image processing part (not shown in FIG. 2).
In the copier 300 in FIG. 2, a laser writing unit 303 forms an
electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum 304 by radiating a
laser beam to the photosensitive drum 304 in accordance with the processed
image signal from the image processing part.
In a known copier, an electrostatic charger, a developing unit, a transfer
charger, and a cleaning unit, which are necessary to carry out an
electrophotographic image forming process, are arranged around the
photosensitive drum. Also, a paper feeding unit and a fixing unit are
arranged on the known copier. In order to produce a copy with good image
quality, it is necessary that the parts of the copier mentioned above are
controlled in the electrophotographic image forming process by setting
various conditions and detecting various pieces of data.
In FIG. 2, a developing unit 305, a cleaning unit 306 and a fixing unit 307
are arranged in the copier 300 for use in the electrophotographic image
forming process. These parts can be detached from the copier 300 and
re-used in a different copier.
FIG. 3 shows an operational panel of the copier in FIG. 2. An operational
panel 310 in FIG. 3 is separately provided on and attached to the main
body of the copier 300. The operational panel 310 is detachable from the
main body of the copier 300.
On the operational panel 310 in FIG. 3, a timer key 351, a timer indicator
352, a program key 353, a program indicator 354, an enter key 355, a set
of numeric keys 356, a guidance key 357, a guidance key indicator 358, a
display panel 359, a guidance display portion 359a, a size enlarge/reduce
key 360, a size enlarge/reduce indicator 361, a centering key 362, a
centering indicator 363, a staple margin adjust key 364, a staple margin
indicator 365, a two-sided copy indicator 366, and a remote message
indicator 368 are arranged from the right top corner to the left top
corner. On the other hand, from the left bottom corner to the right bottom
corner of the operational panel 310, a remote message key 369, a two-sided
copy key 370, a page-successive copy indicator 371, a page-successive copy
key 372, a delete indicator 373, a delete key 374, a paper-specific
enlarge/reduce indicator 375, a paper-specific enlarge/reduce key 376, a
zoom enlarge/reduce key 377, a reduce key 378, an enlarge 379, a
non-magnify key 380, a paper select key 381, an automatic paper select key
382, a density adjust key 383, an automatic density key 384, a clear/stop
key 385, a start key 386, an interrupt key 387, a preheat indicator 388,
and a mode-clear/preheat key 389 are arranged.
FIG. 4 shows a display panel of the operational panel 310 in FIG. 3. From
the left portion to the right portion on the display panel 359 in FIG. 4,
a non-magnify indicator 336, a zoom enlarge/reduce indicator 337, a
magnification factor display 335, an automatic paper select indicator 333,
a paper-specific enlarge/reduce indicator 334, paper direction indicators
330, paper size indicators 331, paper select indicators 332, paper supply
indicators 399, a toner end indicator 398, a remote message warning
indicator 344, a mis-feed indicator 397, a paper end indicator 398, a
mis-feed position indicator 338, a waiting state indicator 395, a ready
state indicator 394, a running state indicator 393, a manual feed
indicator 392, a maintenance call indicator 391, a density adjust
indicator 339, an automatic density indicator 340, a copy number display
342, and a set number display 341 are arranged.
The indicators and displays of the operational panel 310 and the indicators
and displays of the display panel 359 are made from light emitting diodes
(LEDs) or liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
The operational panel and the display panel of the copier 300 according to
the present invention are not limited to the above described operational
panel 310 and the display panel 359 in FIGS. 3 and 4. There are different
operational panels which may be attached to the copier 300. For example,
an operational panel 410 shown in FIG. 5 or an operational panel 510 shown
in FIG. 6 may be attaches to the copier 300.
On the operational panel 410 in FIG. 5, a touch panel display 411, a set of
keys 412, and a set of LED indicators 413 are arranged. The touch panel
display 411 is made of full-dot type LCDS, and a key-in area and a message
are displayed on the touch panel display 411. An operator can input a
selection command by touching the touch panel display 411. The keys 412
are a depressed type, and some of the keys 412 are provided with the LED
indicators 413. Each of the LED indicators 413 indicates that the related
key is depressed.
On the operational panel 510 in FIG. 6, a combined touch panel display 511,
a set of keys 512, and a set of LED indicators 513. The touch panel
display 511 is a combination of a cathode ray tube (CRT) display and a
touch panel display, and it is used to input a selection command, to
display an operational message, and to display an error message. The keys
512 are a depressed type, and some of the keys 512 are provided with the
LED indicators 513. Each of the LED indicators 513 indicates that the
related key is depressed.
FIG. 7 shows a control part of the copier 300 in FIG. 2. The parts of the
copier 300 are operated under the control of a central processing unit
(CPU) 3001. A basic system program and the related data are stored in a
read only memory (ROM) 3002. A random access memory (RAM) 3003 is provided
with a battery, and it is a backup RAM. Control programs for controlling
the parts including the operational panel are stored in the RAM 3003, and
intermediate data is temporarily stored in the RAM 3003. A communication
interface unit 3004 is used to transfer data of the copier 300 to the CCU
3200 in FIG. 1, and used to receive the control code and the control data
from the CCU 3200.
An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 3005 in FIG. 7 converts several
detection signals 3006, output from several parts of the copier 300, into
digital signals. The digital signals are input to the CPU 3001. The
detection signals 3006 include a lamp voltage of the scanner 301, a light
emission voltage of a toner density control sensor, a reception light
voltage of the toner density control sensor, an output voltage of a
potential detecting sensor of the photosensitive drum 302, a voltage of an
automatic density adjust sensor of the developing unit, a voltage of a
light quantity sensor of the scanner 301, a voltage of a current sensor of
the photosensitive drum 302, and a thermistor voltage of the fixing unit.
The copying operation of the copier 300 is inhibited when a measured
fixing temperature based on the thermistor voltage of the fixing unit is
detected to be lower than a reference temperature.
An input port 3007 in FIG. 7 supplies signals 3008, output from the keys of
the operational panel 310 in FIG. 3 and from other sensors or switches, to
the CPU 3001. The signals 3008 include output signals of the keys of the
operational panel 310 and an output signal of a remote message dip switch
on the copier 300. When the remote message dip switch is turned on after
the power of the copier 300 is on, a remote communication procedure is
started with the management unit 3400. When the remote message dip switch
is turned off, the remote communication procedure is not performed.
An output port 3009 in FIG. 7 supplies display control signals 3010 to the
displays and indicators of the operational panel 310 and the display panel
359. An optical control unit 3011 controls an exposure lamp 3012 of the
scanner 301. A high-voltage power control unit 3013 supplies power to
several chargers 3014 including the electrostatic charger, the transfer
charger, a pre-transfer charger, and the developing unit. A motor control
unit 3015 controls a main motor 3016. A heater control unit 3017 controls
a heater 3018 of the fixing unit. A printer control unit 3019 outputs
management data for the copier 300, to a printer 3020. The printer 3020 is
an image forming part of the copier 300. A sensor sensitivity control unit
3021 controls the reception light gains of several sensors 3022, including
the toner density control sensor, and controls the light emission voltage
of the toner density control sensor. A timer 3023 measures the current
time, and is used to activate the a.c. power supply of the copier 300 at
fixed intervals of time.
FIG. 8 shows a control part of the operational panel in FIG. 3. In FIG. 8,
a control program for controlling the operational panel 310 is stored in a
RAM 3112, and the related display control data is stored in a ROM 3113.
The operational panel 310 is controlled by a CPU 3111 in accordance with
the control program stored in the RAM 3112. When a key-in data 3116 is
input from the operational panel 310, the CPU 3111 reads out a display
control code, related to the key-in data, from the ROM 3113 in accordance
with the control program in the RAM 3112, and displays a character
corresponding to the display control code on a LCD 31114.
In the ROM 3113 in FIG. 8, an operational panel code, which is used to
notify the type of the operational panel 310, is stored. FIG. 9 shows an
example of the operational panel code. The operational panel code, as
shown in FIG. 9, comprises a panel code indicating the type of the
operational panel, a screen size indicating the size of the display
screen, and a copier code indicating the type of copiers to which the
operational panel can be attached. One of various types of operational
panels is set to the panel code of the operational panel code. For
example, in the above described embodiment, "F1" indicates an operational
panel having a character type LED+LCD display, "F2" indicates an
operational panel having a full-dot type LED+LCD display, and "F3"
indicates an operational panel having an LCD+CRT display. The screen size
is the size of an LCD or LED display screen.
It is possible that the operational panel code described above is stored in
the RAM 3112, instead of the ROM 3113.
FIG. 10 shows a communication control unit (CCU) 3200 which is connected to
the communication system in FIG. 1. The CCU 3200 is operated under the
control of a CPU 3201 in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, a control program for
controlling the CCU 3200, and the related control data are stored in a ROM
3202. The CCU 3200 is controlled by the CPU 3201 in accordance with the
control program and the related control data in the ROM 3202. Intermediate
data is temporarily stored in a RAM 3203.
In FIG. 10, the CCU 3200 includes a modem 3204 and a plurality of interface
circuits 3205. The modem 3204 is used to transmit data from one of the
plurality of copiers 300 to the management unit 3400 via the telephone
line 3302, and is used to receive data from the management unit 3400 via
the telephone line 3302. As the CCU 3200 has the plurality of interface
circuits 3205, a plurality of copiers 300 can be attached to the CCU 3200
through the interface circuits 3205. The interface circuits 3205 are used
to transfer data from the copiers 300 to the CPU 3201 and used to transfer
data from the CPU 3201 to the copiers 300. A telephone unit 3206 can be
attached to the modem 3204.
The CCU 3200 in FIG. 10 transmits management data (such as an operational
panel code) from one of the copiers 300, to the management unit 3400 via
the telephone line 3302. The CCU 3200 receives the control code and the
related control data from the management unit 3400 via the telephone line
3302, and transmits the control code and the control data to one of the
copiers 300. The CCU 3200 supplies a control signal to one of the copiers
300 to activate the power control unit 3024 of the copier. The CCU 3200
can identify each of the copiers 300 which are connected to the CCU 3200.
When two or more copiers 300 transmit data to the CCU 3200 at the same
time, the CCU 3200 transmits the data from one copier and temporarily
stores the data from the other copiers until the transmission of the data
from the above mentioned copier is completed. The CCU 3200 switches a
communication path between the CCU 3200 and the management unit 3400 into
a communication path between the CCU 3200 and a telephone unit 3206 (which
is connected to the modem 3204), and switches them vice versa.
FIG. 11 shows a management unit which is connected to the communication
system in FIG. 1. In FIG. 11, the management unit 3400 comprises a host
computer 3401, a memory 3402, a modem 3403, a display 3404, a keyboard
3405, a printer 3406, and a telephone unit 3407. The host computer 3401
carries out various procedures. Various control programs for controlling
operational panels of different types are stored in the memory 3402, and
the operational panels are designed in accordance with the models of the
copier. The modem 3403 is used to transmit data from the management unit
3400 to the CCU 3200 via the telephone line 3302, or to receive data from
the CCU 3200 via the telephone line 3302. Each of the control programs,
stored in the memory 3402, is in accordance with the model of the copier
to which the operational panel can be attached.
Next, a description will be given of a control program update procedure
which is performed by the communication system in a first embodiment of
the present invention.
By performing the control program update procedure in the first embodiment,
the previous control program is updated with a new control program
received from the management unit 3400. For the sake of convenience, it is
assumed that an operational panel 310, detached from the previous copier
(not shown), is attached, before the control program update mode is
performed, to the copier 300 to re-use the operational panel-310 thereon.
When an update request key of the operational panel 310 of the copier 300
is turned ON, the control program update mode is started.
FIG. 12 shows the control program update mode performed by the copier 300.
The CPU 3001 of the copier 300, at step S11, detects whether or not the
update request key has been turned ON. If the update request key is not
turned ON, the step S11 is repeated and the control program update mode is
not yet started.
If the result at step S11 is affirmative, step S12 transmits an operational
panel code from the operational panel 310 to the management unit 3400 via
the telephone line. At step S12, the CPU 3111 of the operational panel 310
reads out an operational panel code from the ROM 3113 and transfers the
operational panel code to the copier 300. The operational panel code, read
by the CPU 3111, includes the panel code, the screen size, and the copier
code, as shown in FIG. 9. At step S12, the CPU 3001 of the copier 300
transmits an update mode signal and the operational panel code to the
management unit 3400 via the telephone line 3302.
After the step S12 is performed, step S13 receives a new control program
from the management unit 3400 via the telephone line 3302. A control
program update procedure performed by the management unit 3400 after the
step S12 and prior to the step S13 will be described later.
After the step S13 is performed, step S14 writes the new control program,
received from the management unit 3400, to the RAM 3112 of the operational
panel 310. Step S15 detects whether or not the writing process at step S14
is finished. If the writing process at step S14 is detected to be
unfinished, the writing process at step S14 continues to run. If the
writing process at step S14 is detected to be finished, the control
program update mode in FIG. 12 ends. After the new control program is
stored in the RAM 3112 of the operational panel 310, the operational panel
310 is controlled by the copier 300 in accordance with the new control
program stored in the RAM 3112.
FIG. 13 shows a control program update procedure performed by the
management unit 3400. This procedure is performed by the management unit
3400 after the operational panel code transmitting step S12 in FIG. 12 and
prior to the update program receiving step S13 in FIG. 12, as described
above.
At the start of the control program update procedure in FIG. 13, the host
computer 3401 of the management unit 3400, at step S21, detects whether or
not an update mode signal from the copier 300 has been received. If the
update mode signal has not been received, the step S21 is repeated.
If the result at step S21 is affirmative, step S22 receives the operational
panel code, supplied from the copier 300, through the modem 3403.
After the step S22 is performed, step S23 performs an operational panel
code discriminating process in accordance with the received operational
panel code. The operational panel code discriminating process at step S23
will be described below in more detail. At step S23, the host computer
3401 of the management unit 3400 discriminates the type of the operational
panel 310, and read out a control program (the new control program) for
the operational panel 310 suitable for the copier 300, from the ROM 3113
in accordance with the detected type of the operational panel 310.
After the step S23 is performed, step S24 performs a control program
transmitting process in which the new control program from the management
unit 3400 is transmitted to the copier 300 via the telephone line 3302.
After the step S24 is performed, the control program update procedure in
FIG. 13 ends.
FIG. 14 shows an operational panel code discriminating process performed by
the management unit 3400. This process is performed at step S23 of the
control program update procedure in FIG. 13, as described above.
At the start of the operational panel code discriminating process in FIG.
14, the host computer 3401 of the management unit 3400, at step S31,
detects the model of the copier 300 in accordance with the received
operational panel code.
After the step S31 is performed, step S32 detects whether or not the panel
code, indicated by the received operational panel code, is "F1". As shown
in FIG. 9, "F1" indicates an operational panel having a character type
LED+LCD display.
If the result at step S32 is affirmative, the type of the operational panel
310 is detected to be an operational panel having a character type LED+LCD
display, and them step S35 is performed. Step S35 detects the size of the
LCD display screen of the current operational panel 310 in accordance with
the received operational panel code.
On the other hand, if the result at step S32 is negative, step S33 is
performed. Step S33 detects whether or not the panel code, indicated by
the received operational panel code, is "F2". As shown in FIG. 9, "F2"
indicates an operational panel having a full-dot type LED+LCD display.
If the result at step S33 is affirmative, the type of the operational panel
is detected to be an operational panel having a full-dot type LED+LCD
display, and then the above step S35 is performed.
On the other hand, if the result at step S33 is negative, it is determined
that the type of the operational panel 310 is "F3" and then step S34 is
performed. As shown in FIG. 9, "F3" indicates an operational panel having
an LCD+CRT display. Step S34 detects the size of the CRT display screen of
the current operational panel 310 in accordance with the received
operational panel code.
After either the step S35 or the step S34 is performed, step S36 is
performed. Step S36 reads out a control program (the new control program)
for the operational panel 310 suitable for the copier 300, from the memory
3402 in accordance with the detected copier code, the detected panel code,
and the detected screen size. The read control program, obtained at step
S36, is the new control program that is transmitted from the management
unit 3400 to the copier 300 via the telephone line 3302 at step S24 of the
control program procedure in FIG. 13.
Next, a description will be given of a control program update procedure
performed by a communication system in the second embodiment of the
present invention. In the communication system in the second embodiment, a
procedure similar to the control program update mode shown in FIG. 12 is
performed by the copier, and a modified control program update procedure
is performed by the management unit wherein the control program update
procedure shown in FIG. 13 is modified.
By performing the control program update procedure in the second
embodiment, an optimum display message, supplied from the management unit
in response to the ON state of the update request key on the copier 300,
is displayed on the operational panel 310 of the copier 300, the optimum
display message indicating the size of an optimum display screen for the
operational panel 310 of the copier 300. After a response to the optimum
display message is transmitted from the copier 300 to the management unit
3400, the previous control program is updated with a new control program
from the management unit 3400. As described above, various control
programs for controlling operational panels of different types are stored
in the memory 3402 of the management unit 3400. Various optimum display
messages for operational panels of different copier models are further
stored in the memory 3402 of the management unit 3400 in the second
embodiment.
Before the start of the control program update procedure in the second
embodiment, it is assumed that an operational panel 310, detached from the
previous copier (not shown), is attached to the copier 300 to re-use the
operational panel 310 thereon. When an update request key of the
operational panel 310 is turned ON, the control program update procedure
is started.
Similarly to the control program update procedure in FIG. 13, at the start
of the control program update procedure, the management unit 3400 receives
an update request signal and the operational panel code from the copier
300 via the telephone line. The host computer 3401 of the management unit
3400 detects whether or not the operational panel 310 is an optimum
operational panel for the copier 300, in accordance with the panel code
and the copier code both indicated by the received operational panel code.
When the operational panel 310 is detected to be different from the optimum
operational panel for the copier 300, the host computer 3401 of the
management unit 3400 reads out data of the optimum operational panel from
the memory 3402 in accordance with the received operational panel code,
and transmits the read data to the copier 300 via the telephone line 3302.
For example, the operational panel 310, attached to the copier 300 in order
to re-use it thereon, is provided with a 320.times.200 LCD display, and
the optimum operational panel for the copier 300 is an operational panel
having a 400.times.256 LCD display. The management unit 3400 transmits an
optimum display message, indicating that the optimum operational panel for
the copier 300 includes a 400.times.256 LCD display, to the copier 300 via
the telephone line 3302.
In the above mentioned case, the optimum display message, supplied from the
management unit 3400, is displayed on the LCD display of the operational
panel 310 of the copier 300. An operator or a maintenance person
determines whether or not the current operational panel 310, which is not
the optimum operational panel for the copier 300, is used for the copier
300. After the determination is made, he inputs a response to the optimum
display message on the LCD display of the operational panel 310. When an
affirmative response, indicating that the current operational panel is
used, is transmitted to the management unit 3400. The management unit 3400
reads out a control program (the new control program) for the operational
panel 310 suitable for the copier 300, from the memory 3402 in accordance
with the received operational panel code, and transmits the read control
program to the copier 300 via the telephone line 3302. Then, the new
control program is stored in the RAM 3112 of the operational panel 310 and
the operational panel 310 is used.
When a negative message, indicating that the current operational panel is
not used, is input by the operator, it is necessary that a different
operational panel is attached to the copier 300 and a control program
update request is performed.
FIG. 15 shows an example of an optimum display message which indicates the
size of an optimum display screen for an operational panel. When the
operator inputs the affirmative response to this message on the
operational panel (or the key "Y" being pressed), a control program is
updated and the operational panel is used for the copier. On the other
hand, when the operator inputs the negative response to this message, a
control program is not used for the copier and the control program update
procedure ends.
FIG. 16 shows an optimum display message procedure performed by the
management unit 3400 in the second embodiment. In the optimum display
message in FIG. 16, step S41 detects the screen size indicated by the
received operational panel code. After the step S41 is performed, step S42
detects whether or not the current operational panel 310 is an optimum
operational panel for the copier 300, in accordance with the received
operational panel code.
When the result at step S42 is affirmative, step S45 is performed. Step S45
reads out a control program (the new control program) for the operational
panel 310 suitable for the copier 300, from the memory 3402 in accordance
with the detected copier code, the detected panel code, and the detected
screen size. The control program, obtained at step S45, is the new control
program that is transmitted from the management unit 3400 to the copier
300 via the telephone line 3302 in a control program update procedure.
On the other hand, when the result at step S42 is negative, step S43 is
performed. Step S43 transmits an optimum display message from the
management unit 3400 to the copier 300 via the telephone line 3302. This
message is, for example, the optimum display message shown in FIG. 15, and
it is displayed on the current operational panel 310. After the step S43
is performed, step S44 detects whether or not the operator on the copier
300 has input an affirmative response to the optimum display message.
When the result at step S44 is affirmative, the operator on the copier 300
has input an affirmative response, and the step S45 is performed. When the
result at step S44 is negative, the optimum display message procedure in
FIG. 16 ends and the step S45 is not performed.
Next, a description will be given of a control program update procedure
performed by a communication system in the third embodiment of the present
invention. In the communication system in the third embodiment, a
procedure similar to the control program update mode shown in FIG. 12 is
performed by the copier, and a modified control program update procedure
is performed by the management unit wherein the control program update
procedure shown in FIG. 13 is modified.
By performing the control program update procedure in the third embodiment,
an alarm message, supplied from the management unit 3400 in response to
the ON state of the update request key on the copier 300, is displayed on
the operational panel 310 of the copier 300. The alarm message is
displayed when a control program for the operational panel 310 suitable
for the copier 300 is not found in the memory 3402 of the management unit
3400. In addition to various control programs for controlling operational
panels of different types, various alarm messages for the operational
panel of different types are stored in the memory 3402 of the management
unit 3400.
FIG. 17 shows an example of an alarm message which indicates that the
management unit has no control program to be updated. As the alarm
message, supplied from the management unit, is displayed on the
operational panel of the copier, whether or not the control program to be
updated is stored in the management unit is informed to an operator or a
maintenance person on the copier.
FIG. 18 shows an alarm message transmitting procedure performed by the
management unit in the third embodiment. In the alarm message transmitting
procedure in FIG. 18, step S51 reads out a control program (the new
control program) for the operational panel 310 suitable for the copier 300
from the memory 3402 in accordance with the received operational panel
code. Step S52 detects whether or not the control program is found in the
memory 3402 of the management unit 3400.
When the result at step S52 is affirmative, the alarm message transmitting
procedure in FIG. 18 ends. On the other hand, when the result at step S52
is negative, step S53 is performed. Step S53 transmits an alarm message
from the management unit 3400 to the copier 300 via the telephone line
3302. After the step S53 is performed, the alarm message transmitting
procedure in FIG. 18 ends.
Next, a description will be given of a control program update procedure
performed by a communication system in the fourth embodiment of the
present invention. In the communication system in the fourth embodiment, a
procedure similar to the control program update mode shown in FIG. 12 is
performed by the copier, and a modified control program update procedure
is performed by the management unit wherein the control program update
procedure shown in FIG. 13 is modified.
By performing the control program update procedure in the fourth
embodiment, a combined message, supplied from the management unit 3400 in
response to the ON state of the update request key on the copier 300, is
displayed on the operational panel 310 of the copier 300. The combined
message includes an alarm message and an allowed operational panel
message. The combined message is displayed when a control program for the
operational panel 310 suitable for the copier 300 is not found in the
memory 3402 of the management unit 3400. In addition to various control
programs for controlling operational panels of different types, various
combined messages for the operational panels of different types are stored
in the memory 3402 of the management unit 3400.
FIG. 19 shows an example of a combined message which is transmitted by the
management unit to the copier in the fourth embodiment of the present
invention. The combined message indicates that the management unit has no
control program to be updated, and indicates what is the allowed
operational panel for the copier. As the combined message supplied from
the management unit is displayed on the operational panel of the copier,
whether or not the control program to be updated is stored in the
management unit is informed to an operator or a maintenance person on the
copier. In addition, the operator on the copier can get the information as
to what the allowed operational panel for the copier is.
FIG. 20 shows a combined message transmitting procedure performed by the
management unit in the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 20, the steps which are
the same as the corresponding steps in FIG. 18 are designated by the same
reference numerals.
In the combined message transmitting procedure in FIG. 20, the step S51
reads out a control program for the operational panel 310 suitable for the
copier 300 from the memory 3402 in accordance with the received
operational panel code. Step S52 detects whether or not the control
program is found in the memory 3402 of the management unit 3400.
When the result at step S52 is affirmative, the combined message
transmitting procedure in FIG. 20 ends. On the other hand, when the result
at step S52 is negative, step S63 is performed. Step S63 transmits a
combined message from the management unit 3400 to the copier 300 via the
telephone line 3302. The combined message transmitted at step S63 is, for
example, the combined message shown in FIG. 19 wherein it includes the
alarm message and the allowed operational panel message, and it is
displayed on the operational panel 310. After the step S53 is performed,
the combined message transmitting procedure in FIG. 20 ends.
Next, a description will be given of a control program update procedure
performed by a communication system in the fifth embodiment of the present
invention. In the communication system in the fifth embodiment, a
procedure similar to the control program update mode shown in FIG. 12 is
performed by the copier, and a modified control program update procedure
is performed by the management unit wherein the control program update
procedure shown in FIG. 13 is modified.
FIG. 21 shows a maintenance data transmitting procedure performed by the
management unit in the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 21, the step which is the
same as the corresponding step in FIG. 13 is designated by the same
reference numeral.
In the maintenance data transmitting procedure in FIG. 21, the host
computer 3401 of the management unit 3400, at step S24, transmits a
control program, read from the memory 3402 of the management unit 3400, to
the copier 300 via the telephone line 3302. The control program is stored
in the RAM 3112 of the operational panel 310 of the copier 300. After the
step S24 is performed, step S72 transmits maintenance data, read from the
memory 3402 of the management unit 3400, to the copier 300 via the
telephone line 3302.
The maintenance data stored in the memory 3402 of the maintenance unit 3400
includes the number of re-uses of the operational panel 310 and the date
of the first re-use of the operational panel 310. The maintenance data
supplied to the copier 300 is displayed on the operational panel 310 of
the copier 300. Thus, the operator can get the records relating to the
re-uses of the operational panel 310 from the maintenance data displayed
on the operational panel 310.
Next, a description will be given of a control program update procedure
performed by a communication system in the sixth embodiment of the present
invention. In the communication system in the sixth embodiment, the
operational panel 410 in FIG. 5 is used for the copier 300, and the
control program update procedure is performed when the CPU 3001 of the
copier 300 is set to a user program mode. By performing the control
program update procedure, a program charge message is transmitted by the
management unit 3400 to the copier 300 via the telephone line 3302, the
program charge message informing the operator on the copier that a charge
for updating the control program is necessary.
FIGS. 22A through 22C show images which are displayed on the operational
panel of the copier when the control program update procedure is performed
by the management unit in the sixth embodiment.
At the start of the control program update procedure in the sixth
embodiment, the operational panel 410 in FIG. 5 is attached to the copier
300, and the CPU 3001 of the copier 300 is set to a user program mode.
When a mode clear key on the touch panel 411 of the operational panel 410
is turned ON, the initial image in FIG. 22A appears on the display screen
of the operational panel 410. The operator enters his password by
depressing some of the numeric keys 412, and then the copier setting image
in FIG. 22B appears on the display screen of the operational panel 410
instead of the initial image. When the operator enters the control program
update item, as his choice, from among various setting items listed in the
copier setting image, the program charge message in FIG. 22C appears on
the display screen of the operational panel 410 instead of the copier
setting image. When the operator inputs an acknowledgement (an affirmative
response) in response to the program charge message, the control program
update procedure is started.
Next, a description will be given of a control program update procedure
performed by a communication system in the seventh embodiment of the
present invention. In the communication system in the seventh embodiment,
a procedure similar to the control program update mode shown in FIG. 12 is
performed by the copier, and a modified control program update procedure
is performed by the management unit wherein the control program update
procedure shown in FIG. 13 is modified.
FIG. 23 shows an example of a program charge message which is transmitted
by the management unit in the seventh embodiment. The program charge
message indicates that a predetermined amount of a program charge is
necessary for updating the control program. The program charge includes a
control program update payment and a control program transmission payment.
FIG. 24 shows the control program update procedure performed by the
management unit in the seventh embodiment. In FIG. 24, the steps which are
the same as the corresponding steps in FIG. 18 are designated by the same
reference numerals.
In the control program update procedure in FIG. 24, the host computer 3401
of the management unit 3400, at step S51, reads out a control program for
the operational panel 310 suitable for the copier 300 from the memory 3402
in accordance with the received operational panel code. Step S52 detects
whether or not the control program is found in the memory 3402 of the
management unit 3400.
When the result at step S52 is affirmative, step S84 is performed. Step S84
transmits a program charge message, read from the memory 3402 of the
management unit 3400, to the copier 300 via the telephone line 3302. The
program charge message transmitted at step S84 is, for example, the
program update message shown in FIG. 23, and it is displayed on the
operational panel 310 of the copier 300. After the step S84 is performed,
step S85 is performed. Step S85 detects whether or not a response to the
program charge message, which has been input by the operator on the copier
300, is affirmative. When the result at step S85 is negative, the operator
has input a negative response. The control program update procedure in
FIG. 24 ends. When the result at step S86 is affirmative, the operator has
input an affirmative response and step S86 is performed. Step S86
transmits, the control program, read from the memory 3402 of the
management unit 3400, to the copier 300 via the telephone line 3302. After
the step S86 is performed, the control program update procedure in FIG. 24
ends.
On the other hand, when the result at step S52 is negative, step S53 is
performed. Step S63 transmits an alarm message, read from the management
unit 3400, to the copier 300 via the telephone line 3302. The alarm
message transmitted at step S53 is displayed on the operational panel 310.
After the step S53 is performed, the control program update procedure in
FIG. 24 ends.
Next, a description will be given of a control program update procedure
performed by a communication system in the eighth embodiment of the
present invention. In the communication system in the fifth embodiment, a
procedure similar to the control program update mode shown in FIG. 12 is
performed by the copier, and a modified control program update procedure
is performed by the management unit wherein the control program update
procedure shown in FIG. 13 is modified.
When the control program update procedure is performed, a control program
list, read from the memory of the management unit, is transmitted by the
management unit to the copier via the telephone line. FIG. 25 shows an
example of the control program list which is transmitted by the management
unit in the eighth embodiment. As the control program list including
various control program options suitable for the operational panel of the
copier is displayed on the operational panel of the copier, the operator
can select a desired control program from among the control programs of
the control program list. When the desired control program is selected by
the operator, the data of the selected control program from the copier is
transmitted to the management unit. The selected control program, read
from the memory of the management unit, is transmitted to the copier via
the telephone line. Thus, the operator can update the control program of
the operational panel to a desired control program among those of the
control program list.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above described
embodiments, and variations and modifications may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
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